从青铜器中读懂早期中国

Core Viewpoint - The exhibition "Ji Jin·China - The Rise and Prosperity of Chinese Bronze Civilization" at the Shaanxi History Museum systematically outlines the evolution of bronze civilization from the late Neolithic period to the early and mid-Western Zhou Dynasty, highlighting the critical role of bronze artifacts in the formation of a diverse and unified Chinese civilization [5][7][9]. Group 1: Exhibition Overview - The exhibition is co-hosted by the National Cultural Heritage Administration and the Shaanxi Provincial Government, featuring 341 artifacts from 51 cultural heritage institutions across 17 provinces, making it the largest and most comprehensive bronze civilization exhibition in nearly a decade [7]. - It aims to explore the origins and early development of Chinese civilization through a systematic approach, focusing on three perspectives: painted pottery, jade artifacts, and metallurgy [8]. Group 2: Historical Context - Research indicates that around 5,800 years ago, significant social differentiation began across various regions of China, marking the acceleration of civilization origins, which can be divided into the Ancient States Era and the Dynasty Era [8][9]. - The exhibition connects with previous exhibitions on painted pottery and jade, focusing on the third phase of the Ancient States Era, which spans from 4,300 to 3,800 years ago [8]. Group 3: Technological Development - The exhibition's first section, "Technology·Trend," presents a global map of ancient copper mine distributions, tracing the development of metallurgy from the late 9th millennium BC in northern Iraq to the flourishing Bronze Age around 2000 BC [9][10]. - The earliest copper artifacts in China, dating back approximately 6,000 years, were discovered at the Jiangzhai site in Xi'an, providing crucial insights into the origins of Chinese metallurgy [10]. Group 4: Cultural Significance - The exhibition's second section, "Center·Four Directions," outlines the development of bronze civilization during the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, emphasizing the central role of the Central Plains region in cultural integration and influence [12][13]. - The third section, "Ritual Music·China," explains the significance of bronze ritual vessels and musical instruments in maintaining social order and cultural identity during the Shang and Zhou dynasties [15][17].